Sicily tour, classical Sicily
From
US $1770
To
US $1810
8 Days excluding flights
More info:Prices based on 2 adults sharing. Single supplement available. Mimimum age 14.
Offers:Late availability on these dates: 17 Apr, 24 Apr
“Discover the classical highlights of Sicily on this jam-packed journey which will take you to the ancient sites of Syracusa and Agrigento en-route to Giardini Naxos and Palermo.”
Highlights
Syracusa | Valley of the Temples in Agrigento | Boat ride to Mozia Island | Palermo | Giardini Naxos | Cefalu | Taormina | Optional excursion to Mount Etna |Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Date
Price per adult
Basis
Status
Trip type:
Small group. Av. 12-18 people.
Activity level:
Full On.
Accomm:
7 nights in standard local hotels.
Included:
Accommodation, transport, listed activities, alongside tour leader and local guide(s).
Meals:
7 breakfasts.
Solos:
Solo travelers welcome.
About this vacation company:
The founders led overland trips across the world in the 60s and 70s before creating this company in 1981. Today, it offers tours in 120 countries, but never lost that pioneering spirit of adventure.
Vouchers
Accepted
Vacation type
Small group vacations
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, traveling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. If you’re heading off on a gap year your, perhaps – but for those with a two-week vacation, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.
The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travelers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
What are the main benefits?
Big experiencesHave big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your vacation time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
Who is it ideal for?
Travelers who are short of timeIf you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your vacation.
Solo travelers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those traveling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travelers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Mythbuster
“I won’t get any privacy!”Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travelers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travelers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Meet a local guide
No matter how experienced your group leader, they can never make up for the knowledge gained from a lifetime in the destination. That’s why many of our trips work with local guides around the world – who invite you into their homeland with pleasure.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.

The majority of accommodation used on this trip is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally, and lovely Sicilian wine. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Other people too benefit from our visit includes drivers and local guides, as well as the staff in our local handling agent's office, which is based on the island.
Though you will need to drink plenty on this trip, we encourage you not to buy bottled water due to the plastic waste this generates. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in this area so bring your own reusable water bottle.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
Environment


The majority of accommodation used on this trip is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally, and lovely Sicilian wine. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Other people too benefit from our visit includes drivers and local guides, as well as the staff in our local handling agent's office, which is based on the island.
Though you will need to drink plenty on this trip, we encourage you not to buy bottled water due to the plastic waste this generates. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in this area so bring your own reusable water bottle.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
Community

Climate

4 Reviews of Sicily tour, classical Sicily
3.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 06 Oct 2013 by Laurence Cale
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult one - there was something interesting every day. For me the ascent of
Etna was one of the highlights.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Opt for the optional excursion to Mt Etna!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Use of local guides and family run hotels benefited local people
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good - enjoyed it.
Reviewed on 06 Oct 2013 by Simon Phillips
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
1. The ruins of Agrigento and Segesta
2 The Phoenician settlement on Mozia
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't fly Alitalia!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly supported the local economy, and was very environmentally aware
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very busy, as expected, but very enjoyable with the exception of the appalling chaos at Catania airport, waiting over an hour to be checked in by one checker for all the Alitalia flights leaving Catania that morning, while the express check-in had two operatives. The crowning glory was that our luggage never left the airport. I await its arrival with eager anticipation!
Reviewed on 12 Jun 2012 by Adam Patchett
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visiting outstanding classical sights such as the quarry in Syracuse where 7000 athenians were enslaved, or the temples of Akragas, the theatre of Segesta carved into the hillside, the island of Motya overrun by Dionysius. The Palatine Chapel in Palermo is breathtaking.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is a very busy schedule. Be prepared to feel that you haven't had enough time at many of the sites.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The local people need the tourist income, and I guess at least some of the fees from the sites finds its way to conservation projects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A lightning tour of some fabulous sites in Sicily. A bit like a fine dining taster menu that leaves one wanting more.
Reviewed on 25 Nov 2011 by Richard Trist
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Siracusa - the Greek Temple in use today as the cathedral.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Travel in the shoulder months.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good.
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From
US $1770
To
US $1810
8 Days excluding flights
More info:Prices based on 2 adults sharing. Single supplement available. Mimimum age 14.
Offers:Late availability on these dates: 17 Apr, 24 Apr
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